‘WR pushing old train as new Flying Ranee’

Torn seats and missing armrests on the Flying Ranee

The first day of the new Flying Ranee Express train between Mumbai and Surat on Monday shocked passengers and they complained in large numbers saying it was an old one, with worn out seats, broken armrests and had many other problems. They questioned how the minister of railways flagged off a second-hand, broken train.

"Today, the first day of 12921/22 Flying Ranee express LHB coaches, it's in a pathetic condition. All coaches are crowded and in dirty condition, seats are broken," a commuter, Pratik Patil, said. Another commuter, Rajdutt Patil said, "Why was there a rush to upgrade it to LHB class?"

Sources said the train was earlier with the Central Railway and was used on the Mumbai-Manmad route as Panchavati Express a few years ago. However, passengers there had complained in large numbers which mid-day had reported in 2018.

Crowding in the first class compartment; (right) A leak in the Flying Ranee's Vice FC coach. Pic/Shilkesh Bari

"If LHB coaches are so user friendly then why were these rakes rejected when used for Panchavati Exp in CR? People protested there and CR rolled back its decision. Surely there must be some genuine reason CR withdrew this rake? Or are CR officers not competent enough?" commuter Virag Mhatre said. Another commuter, Parth said, "Around 400 arm rests are missing from the rake, coaches provided are 10 years old. Please check the seats of the chair car also you will get what's the current status of the rake. Please provide a fresh rake for the flying Ranee."

MP approached

Station Consultative Committee members from Palghar, Himanshu Vartak, also Virag Mhatre and Pratik Patil, have approached Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Rajendra Gavit with the issue. "We kindly request your support in advocating for the replacement of the Chair Car coach with the general coach for the unreserved coaches on the Flying Ranee. The overcrowding and extreme rush on this train route have become major concerns for passengers. We are aware of discontent among daily commuters who have expressed their unhappiness and frustration over the replacement of double-decker coaches with chair car coaches. Therefore, in consideration of their concerns, we propose the introduction of general coaches instead of chair car coaches, as this could provide at least some relief to the passengers," they stated in their letter to Gavit.

WR defends move

Western Railway officials said 2-3 seats were found in torn condition at small patches, which were attended to immediately and no passengers were inconvenienced during the journey. They said all the seats in the remaining coaches are in good condition.

"Transition of 12922/21 Flying Ranee Exp from ICF to LHB aims to enhance passenger comfort and ensure a higher level of safety during travel. Further, with introduction of LHB coaches, the train is fit to run at sectional speed of 130 kmph, to improve the punctuality of the train.

"These coaches are also longer in comparison to the ICF design, resulting in more carrying capacity. With 21 coaches, now the seating capacity of LHB rake is 1,999 passengers. Double decker coaches in Flying Ranee completed their service life and thus were replaced with LHB coaches. Total seating capacity of 19 coaches was 1,995 passengers in old ICF rake. ICF double decker coaches have disadvantage of less headspace and are less senior-citizen friendly," said a WR official.

Negative points in new LHB coach as per commuters

. Replaced double decker with single decker
. Double decker seating capacity 136 and single Decker 102
. Old coaches attached
. Less free space in LHB coaches compared to double deckers
. Leakage found in FC coach
. Damaged seat attached
. No uniform colour in the new Flying Ranee
. Less width of doors compared to double decker coaches
. The more than 43-years-old Flying Ranee's identity completely missed
. Chances of stampede due to less space